I couldn't help but think of my Grandma, Great Aunt, and the rest of my amazing family this first eve of Hanukkah! Therefore, I made a last minute decision to prepare a quick Hanukkah feast: and a great one, too! Besides, who can possibly resist deliciously golden fried potato latkes?! Now, the recipe for the latkes is a secret, so that I can't share, and as for the rest, I didn't do much, I just winged it as usual. I forgot to buy apple sauce for the latkes at the store, but luckily I had 4 leftover apples in the fridge from apple picking back in early Fall.
Thankfully, apples last a while in the cool of the refrigerator. Peel them, dice them, slightly cover with some water or apple juice and the juice of half a lemon, and simmer until soft. Then, run them through that food mill, and voila: apple sauce! This is my personal favorite on potato latkes, though some like sour cream or nothing at all.
I also decided last minute to make the brisket. Crazy, I know. However, I put it in as soon as I walked in the door, and let it cook about 2 1/2 hours at 375 F. It was tender and ready to go by an 8 PM dinner, which is not terribly late, all things considered. The brisket was meant to be simple, and full of classic flavors that remind you of Grandma and Great Aunt's house: seared on both sides seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne; deglazed with a bit of Vermouth; then covered with water, about 2 TBS of worcestershire sauce, 2 TBS dijon mustard, and a can of tomato paste; and left to braze at 375 F for about 2-3 hours.
Don't pay attention to the "green stuff" on the plate. This, too, was a last ditch attempt at being healthy...but it was not that appetizing, and simply served as color on the plate. If you really must know, it was a green bean and spinach puree, but I mistakenly added some basil from the garden to it, and that completely threw off the flavors. Next time: no basil.
Anyhow, it was a delightful Hanukkah meal, and nobody is ever sorry to have eaten a yummy latke....or two...or four!
